Everest Base Camp North or South?
Remember the first line of the homepage of our blog! It was “Everest Base Camp is a term that is used to describe two base camps on opposite sides of Mount Everest.” Everest shares the border in between Nepal and Tibet. So either side of this mountain there is a base camp. Tibet side is known as North Base Camp and Nepal side is known as South Base Camp.
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Everest North Base Camp – Tibet
At an elevation of 5150 m from sea level, access to north base camp is easy. You can drive all the way up to Rongbuk and trek an hour to get there. Also there is facility of pony for needy travellers! Unblocked wide view of north face of Everest is the major highlight of the northern base camp.
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Everest South Base Camp – Nepal
At an elevation of 5364 m from sea level, you need to trek six days to get to south base camp of Nepal. Lukla is the nearest airport, which is thirty minutes flight from capital Kathmandu. Kalapatthar is the famous viewpoint for the view of Mighty Everest. Mt. Nuptse and Mt. Lho La stood in front.
Are you in dilemma to choose the right base camp for you? Answer these four questions and you can decide easily.
- Trek or Tour to EBC
You can go for driving tour in north base camp of Everest. There is road access. From Rongbuk you need to trek around an hour to get to the base camp. Whereas for real trekking you can go for south base camp of Everest. You need to trek six days to get to the base camp from Lukla.
- Fitness Level and Walk
Everest base camp trek in Nepal is considered as demanding grade trek. You should be capable of walking six hours a day in average and also rapid gain in elevation day by day. For Tibet side this is pretty easy, drive and short walk to base camp, choice is yours!
- Front or back
Do you want to see the front of Everest or Back? Southern faces of himalayas are considered as the front face. The view of Everest from Tibet is considered as the back part of Everest and the one from Kalapatthar is considered as the front face of Everest.
- Independent or organized
Tibet is not a backpacker’s friendly country. You can’t enter Tibet with agency! Where as for Nepal you can trek solo to Everest Base Camp. If you are in a tight budget and looking for adventure no doubt Nepal is the perfect choice.
There are also two different base camps in Nepal side, i.e. New and Old Base Camp. Read more about these multiple base camps in south.